Here it is mid-July in Rhode Island -- the weather forecast looks great, the beaches are open, the first local sweet corn and blueberries are turning up at farmstands, a sweet soft breeze is blowing -- it doesn't get much better. Turn off your TV, unplug the kids, and spend your days under the sky.

You can start the weekend tonight, with a butterly identification workshop at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center, or listen to stories about local wildlife from R.I. author Todd McLeish at the ASRI Env Ed Center in Bristol, or learn about fireflies at Audubon's HQ in Smithfield. Details about all of these events and many more, at our NNN Community Calendar. And at 9 p.m., don't miss your chance to view Saturn and Mars through the big telescope at Ladd Observatory -- scroll down on NNN for details of that event.

The Coastal Growers Market at Casey Farm offers free yoga Saturday morning at 8, to start off Aquaculture Day. You can celebrate with some fresh Matunuck oysters.  Or you can go for a paddle in Pawtuxet Cove with the folks from Save The Bay, 9 to noon, click here for info. Or join up with the active Appalachian Mountain Club folks to kayak in Ninigret Pond, bike ride in Newport, or hike in New Hampshire, details are at our NNN Community Calendar.

At Garden in the Woods, in Framingham, Mass., a new Big Bugs exhibit opens on Saturday and runs through the fall. Besides giant sculptures of real insects, the project includes lots of classes and special events for kids. All this plus back yards, barbecues, sweet corn, watermelon, sunsets, and the Bay -- who needs to travel?

photo courtesy of Save The Bay